Sport

RUGBY: Club’s amateur status on the money for coach Jason

CHIPPENHAM head coach Jason Forster believes the club are unlikely to follow the lead of National League level rivals by financially rewarding players in the near future.

While a number of their National Three South West opponents do make payments to players, Chippenham remain amateur, leaving them battling to compete with the top sides, a point underlined by their 61-10 defeat at Exmouth last weekend.

The club – the highest ranked in Wiltshire – have launched a consultation with members over developing a strategy for the next five years, and former Wales international Forster said: “We are an amateur club and we are proud of that. It’s great that we have players who want to play for the love of it.

“At the present time it (payment) is a no. Money does talk and you never say never, but you see some clubs going down that (payment) route and going bust.

“It’s about getting that balance. Look at our facilities, they are second to none.

“The club is moving forward with a five-year plan which is being discussed but in the immediate future we are an amateur club."